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February Blog: R-E-L-A-X and go fishing!

February 8, 2015

There is a lot of talk right now from Crested Butte locals and visitors alike about the lack of snow and a winter that has been disappointing so far. As someone who has been out on a daily basis enjoying the skiing and the fishing, I am here to do my best Aaron Rogers impression and let everybody know that we will be OK.

At the resort, patrol has done a great job managing the terrain and there is good snow to be had in the extremes. Luckily there is a fair amount of skiers and riders who don’t ski if it is not a powder day so finding decent un-skied lines is quite easy and we have also enjoyed a lot of 2-4 inch snowfalls which have skied very well.

On the water, slightly above average temperatures have allowed water to open up on the East, Taylor and Gunnison Rivers and sunny days in the 40s make for great opportunities to enjoy fishing in the dead of winter. Not to mention that where open water is found, fish are stacked in and in a lot of cases happy to see anything that looks like food floating by. Action on the rivers right now resembles the great early season fishing that we usually don’t see until the end of March and April.

Whether you live here or are looking to visit Crested Butte this winter, do not be discouraged by the year-to-date snowfall or the 38” base depth at the mountain, those are just numbers. The latest snowpack report is out and we are still above 80% of normal snowpack while places in California and Washington are below 25%. According to Cara McCarthy of the National Water and Climate Center, “Right now, snowpack and stream flow forecasts look pretty close to normal for much of the West”. In case you are stilled worried, our snowiest months are still in front of us. Get out there and enjoy what we have and don’t worry about what we don’t.

Call the shop at 970.349.1228 or stop by to get the latest information or to book a guide to help you explore the winter fishing opportunities around Crested Butte.

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Fishing the Wild West

September 9, 2014

Last week, I had an opportunity to get into the West Elk Wilderness, one of five wilderness areas within a 30-minute drive of Crested Butte, Colorado. It is not hard to get away from humans anywhere near Crested Butte, and our wilderness areas are certainly no exception. With no road access and no mechanized vehicles allowed, all access is by foot and some of the best spots require off-trail navigation and sometimes tricky bushwhacking.

I fished two streams in complete solitude, one named, the other an unnamed tributary of the first stream. Both were full of native cutthroat, many of which have never seen an artificial fly in their lives. It’s usually pretty easy to tell because when you set the hook on a fish that has never been caught, there is that second or two of pure shock after the fly bites back before they realize something is wrong and put up the fight of their lives to get free. For me there is nothing like catching fish in a spot that I saw the week before while studying maps and google Earth and thinking, “that looks hard to get to, I bet the fishing is good”. There is a lifetime of water just like this spot, from small streams and tributaries to larger streams and high alpine lakes, all of which can be accessed on foot, by car, or by a 4X4 vehicle.

If you want to experience a truly unique experience in the middle of the most remote mountains in Colorado, whether it is a hike into one of the wilderness areas or a hair-raising, expert 4X4 drive to cutthroat-filled beaver ponds near treeline, let myself or one of our other backcountry experts put together a trip for you! Please call the shop at (970) 349-1228for more information.

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A Crested Butte Essential: Patagonia Men’s & Women’s Nano Air Jacket

August 19, 2014

The weather in Crested Butte, Colorado is known to vary throughout the day, with early morning and evenings offering cooler temperatures and the afternoons warming up with lots of sunshine. No matter the weather, you should always be prepared for cooler temperatures when you embark upon your outdoor adventures. The new Patagonia Men’s and Women’s Nano Air Jacket offers a great solution to your outerwear needs.

This great piece will become a daily driver for life in the Crested Butte area. This stretchy, super lightweight, and breathable jacket features FullRange™ Insulation and is water resistant, as it’s made with a DWR (durable water repellent) fabric finish, which repels light rain and snow and dries faster than other fabrics. The flexible nature of this jacket makes it perfect for layering for additional versatility. This piece is compressible into its own pocket, so it can be stashed in a pack or just about anywhere.

Stop by Dragonfly Anglers to view our variety of colors, sizes, and options. Don’t live in Crested Butte? Call (800) 491-3079 or email today for more information!

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The Tilley Hat, the Last Brimmed Hat You'll Ever Buy

August 6, 2014

Are you looking for a new hat for your outdoor adventures? If you haven’t tried The Tilley Hat, yet, you won’t be disappointed. This UPF 50+ (the maximum rating) hat offers excellent sun protection and is rain repellent, floats, and has a handy tie option for windy days. The hat is also certified to block 98% of harmful UVA/UVB radiation. This versatile fabric is composed of a blend of recycled yarns (29% hemp; 28% organic cotton; 36% polyester; 7% rayon). Even better, the hat is insured against “all perils” for two years! This hat is also easy to care for, just machine wash on delicate or hand wash, reshape, and air dry. Originally designed for sailors, this hat is perfect for fishing, hiking, or any outdoor adventure where comfort, sun protection, and durability are needed. This could be the last brimmed hat you'll ever buy!

The measurements of the hat are as follows:

Brim size: Front and back 3 ¼”; Sides 2 ¼”

Weighs 3.9 ounces / 111 grams

The price of the hat is $79.00. Come try on this hat to see why the guys at Dragonfly Anglers love this product! Visit our shop at 307 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte, CO 81224 or call 800-491-3079 for more details.

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